Apush Ch. 7 Speed Facts

Published in NY newspapers between 1787-88. 85 articles total, 30 by James Madison, 50 by Hamilton, and 5 by John Jay. (Published under “Publius”)

Federalists They were written to promote state ratification of the Constitution and they defended the principle of a supreme national authority but sought to reassure doubters that there was little reason to fear tyranny by the new government.

Land Ordinance of 1785

Wherever Indian titles had been extinguished, the NW was to be surveyed and 6-mile square townships established along east-west and north-south lines. Each township was in turn to be divided into 36 sections, each one mile or 640 acres.

Land Ordinance of 1785 cont.

The 640 acre sections were to be auctioned for no less that a dollar per acre ($640). Such terms favored land speculators since few common folk had that much money or were able to work that much land. Delegates believed this system would raise needed funds.

The New Jersey Plan

William Patterson, kept existing equal representation of states in a unicameral Congress but gave the Congress power to levy taxes, regulate commerce, and name a plural executive (with no veto) and a supreme court.

Constitutional Convention

a 4 MONTH CONVENTION; government derives its just powers from the consent of the people but that society must be protected from the tyranny of the majority; that the people at large must have a voice in their government but that checks and balances must be provided to keep any one group from dominating; stronger central authority was essential BUT all power is subject to abuse. Government could NOT be founded on trust in goodwill and virtue.

“The Critical Period”

United States struggled to establish themselves as a new nation.

The Northwest Ordinance

Abandoned the commitment to early self-government in the territories. Because of the trouble that might be expected from squatters who were clamoring for free land, the Northwest Ordinance transition required a period of colonial. At first the territory fell subject to a governor, a secretary, and 3 judges, all chosen by Congress.

The Northwest Ordinance cont.

When any territory in the region had a population of 5000 free male adults, it could choose an assemble, and Congress would name a governing council. The governor would have a veto, and so would Congress. Statehood = 60000 free inhabitants. At that point a convention can be called to draft a state constitution.

The Northwest Ordinance cont. 2

There was a bill of rights (religious freedom, habeus corpus, proportional rep, trial by jury, common law) Ordinance excluded slavery from the NorthWest. REPRESENTED SHARP BREAK WITH THE IMPERIALISTIC ASSUMPTION BEHIND EUROPEAN EXPANSION INTO THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

Shay’s Rebellion

Shay’s Rebellion - Proof that the country was on the brink of anarchy. The taxes created to pay off the war debt fell heavily on beleaguered farmers the the poor in general. When the legislature adjourned in 1786 without providing paper money or any other relied from taxes and debts 3 western agricultural counties revolted.

Shays Rebellion cont.

Armed bands closed the courts and prevented foreclosures, and a ragtag “army” of some 1200 disgruntled farmers led by Captain Daniel Shays, a destitute farmer and war veteran, advanced upon the federal arsenal at Springfield in 1787. Shays and his followers sought a more flexible monetary policy, laws allowing them to use corn and wheat as money, and the right to postpone paying taxes until the depression lifted.

The Virginia Plan

Drafted by James Madison in 1787; called for separate legislative, executive, and judicial branches and a truly national government whose laws would be binding upon individual citizens as well as states. Congress would be divided into two houses: a lower house to be chosen by popular vote and an upper house of senators elected by the state legislatures. Congress could disallow state laws under the plan and would itself define the extent of its and the states’ authority.

Anti-Federalists

Against a strong central government, noted the absence of a bill of rights to protect individuals and states, and they found the ratification process highly irregular, which it was.

William Patterson

Drafted the New Jersey Plan

James Madison

most active in the debates (Constitutional Convention) and ablest political philosopher in the group

Patrick Henry

Anti-Federalist leader, chief spokesman for backcountry farmers who feared the powers of the new government, but wavering delegates were won over by a proposal that the convention should recommend a bill of rights.

Roger Sherman

self trained lawyer adept at negotiating compromises. Drafted Great Compromise (In House of Representatives, apportionment would be by population and in the Senate it would be equal representation.)